Google target of Microsoft-led antitrust complaint

A group of companies led by Microsoft has asked the European antitrust authority to investigate Google for alleged unfair practices in the mobile smartphone market.

"FairSearch" — which includes Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle, among others — claimed Tuesday that Google is acting unfairly by giving away its Android operating system for mobile devices, but requiring companies that use it to install Google software applications such as YouTube.

The European Commission is not obliged to take any action other than reply to the complaint. Google has been under investigation by the Commission for practices related to its dominance of online search and advertising markets since 2010.

Android operating systems have the largest share of the smartphone market, followed by those made by Apple. Blackberry, Microsoft and others are far behind.